THEY JUST DON’T GET IT
Infected MP had test... and went to Westminster BEFORE she got the result
‘This is astonishing recklessness’
AN MP travelled 800 miles from Scotland to London and back while infected with coronavirus, it was revealed yesterday.
Margaret Ferrier was last night urged to resign after taking the train to Parliament while awaiting test results having experienced symptoms of the disease.
Despite testing positive for Covid-19, the SNP MP then travelled back to her home in Scotland without notifying anyone.
Rules require anyone showing symptoms of the virus or awaiting results – as well as anyone who tests positive – to self-isolate immediately.
Her admission triggered an alert in Parliament, with the authorities rushing to trace those she had been in contact with and deep clean the chamber.
The MP could be fined up to £4,000 under new rules on self-isolation that came into force earlier this week. Anyone found to be
1IN INFECTED MP COMMONS
‘recklessly’ leaving self-isolation is liable for the huge fine, with recklessness being defined as deliberately going somewhere crowded where you could infect others.
Last night, the SNP suspended the whip from the MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West. Party leader Nicola Sturgeon said: ‘This is utterly indefensible.
‘It’s hard to express just how angry I feel on behalf of people across the country making hard sacrifices every day to help beat Covid. The rules apply to everyone and they’re in place to keep people safe.’
In a statement yesterday, Miss Ferrier admitted she had experienced mild Covid-19 symptoms and took a test on Saturday.
Despite the rules saying that anyone with symptoms or awaiting results should selfisolate, she travelled to Parliament by train on Monday.
That day she stood up in the Commons at around 7.15pm to pay tribute to the hard work of the NHS and carers during the pandemic.
She also received her positive test result on Monday, although it is not known what time this was.
Despite the confirmation that she had Covid-19, Miss Ferrier still returned by train to Scotland, putting other passengers at risk. She said: ‘I apologise unreservedly for breaching Covid-19 restrictions by travelling this week when I shouldn’t have. There is no excuse for my actions.’
She added that she is now selfisolating and has notified the parliamentary authorities as well as the police. Last night, the Tories and Labour both called for her resignation. They pointed out that she had previously called for Dominic Cummings, the Prime Minister’s chief adviser, to resign after he broke lockdown rules.
Train drivers’ union Aslef said: ‘For an MP to get on a train knowing she has Covid-19 is both dangerous and disgraceful.’
Former leader of the Scottish Tories Ruth Davidson added: ‘This Margaret Ferrier case is different – knowingly taking public transport after testing positive for Covid-19 is to put lives at risk. She has to go.’
Ian Murray, Labour’s Scottish spokesman, said: ‘This is astonishing recklessness from an SNP MP, which has put people’s health at risk.
‘ Through her irresponsible actions, she very possibly has passed on the virus to a vulnerable person, who may now have Covid19 and be in danger.
‘ She has put passengers, rail staff, fellow MPs, Commons staff and many others at unacceptable risk. Scottish Conservative MSP Graham Simpson said: ‘Margaret Ferrier should listen to her own words, do the right thing and resign.
‘If she’s shameless enough to try and stay on after acting so recklessly, Nicola Sturgeon must sack her. Margaret Ferrier would expect nothing less.’ Former Scottish Labour MP Paul Sweeney also called for her to resign, tweeting: ‘An MP travelling to London by train while awaiting a Covid test result is obviously a stupid thing to do.
‘To then travel back to Glasgow by train after receiving a positive result is grossly negligent. Ms Ferrier should heed the advice she offered to Mr Cummings, and resign.’
Glasgow-born Miss Ferrier, 60, first entered Parliament in 2015, taking the seat of Rutherglen and Hamilton West in South Lanarkshire from Labour.
She lost in 2017 but won the constituency back in last year’s general election. She previously said Mr Cummings’ position was ‘untenable’ after he broke lockdown rules by travelling to Durham while suffering suspected coronavirus symptoms.
Nicola Sturgeon also called at the time for Mr Cummings to resign, and thanked the former chief medical officer for Scotland Catherine Calderwood for her resignation after she broke coronavirus rules. Last night, at least
one contact of Miss Ferrier’s was forced to self-isolate. Police Scotland confirmed it was aware of the incident.
A spokesman said: ‘We are aware of the circumstances and are liaising with our colleagues in the Metropolitan Police Service.’
A House of Commons spokesman said: ‘Parliament has a dedicated team to support the test and trace teams across the UK, acting as a central point of contact in the event of any suspected or confirmed cases, where an individual has been working on the estate.
‘ We are also implementing a number of cleaning measures to ensure those working on the estate can maintain a clean and hygienic working environment and ensuring Parliament adheres to the Government’s “working safely during coronavirus” guidance.’